Arlecchino watched Lora leave and quietly said,
"There's no other choice. If we want to uncover the secrets hidden by a god and save Fontaine, then this sacrifice is necessary."
At those words, everyone fell silent.
Lumine kept staring toward the direction Lora had gone, her expression heavy with worry.
...
When Lora returned to the Palais Mermonia, she found Hélie anxiously waiting outside the entrance.
Lora walked over and asked,
"Hélie, what happened? Who are you waiting for?"
"You, Lady Lora!" Hélie's eyes immediately lit up when she saw her.
Lora frowned slightly.
"Why are you waiting for me?"
Hélie quickly explained:
"Lady Furina woke up, and she's been looking everywhere for you! I couldn't calm her down, and I had no idea where you'd gone, so I came outside to wait for you. Please go see her quickly!"
"All right."
Without stopping, Lora immediately headed upstairs toward Furina's room.
The moment she pushed open the door, she saw Furina pacing anxiously around the room, her expression tense.
"What's wrong?" Lora asked softly. "I was only gone for a little while."
The moment Furina saw her return, she hurried around the sofa and ran straight over.
Looking directly into Lora's eyes, she said nervously:
"I had a dream. I dreamed you disappeared."
"It was only a dream."
Lora gently rubbed Furina's hair.
Feeling that familiar warmth, Furina gradually calmed down. She let out a relieved breath and nodded softly.
"Mm... thank goodness it was just a dream."
Lora then asked,
"What do you want for dinner tonight? I'll make it for you."
Furina thought seriously for a while before answering:
"I want Floating White Frost... and Fruit Trio!"
"You're not eating that many sweets at night," Lora immediately refused. "Replace Fruit Trio with White Frost Clear Soup."
"I'll listen to you!" Furina nodded obediently.
...
That night, after Furina fell asleep, Lora went to speak with Neuvillette and explained the situation to him. Neuvillette promised he would fully cooperate.
Lora herself did not sleep at all that night.
Instead, she quietly leaned beside the bed, watching the night view of the Court of Fontaine until dawn arrived.
When Furina woke up the next morning, Lora had already prepared breakfast.
Seeing the table covered with food, Furina looked slightly surprised.
"Didn't you say we shouldn't eat too much in the morning?"
"Just eat." Lora smiled. "It's fine if you can't finish everything."
After breakfast, Lora said:
"I'll take you to the Opera Epiclese today. There's a trial."
"A trial?" Furina looked at her curiously. "What trial? Why don't I know about it?"
Normally, Furina should have known about every single trial held in Fontaine. There should not have been any trial scheduled for today.
"It's a sudden one," Lora explained. "Neuvillette informed me earlier, so I came to bring you over. Didn't you once say you would never miss a trial held at the Opera Epiclese?"
"Of course!" Furina immediately nodded proudly. "I am Furina, the Hydro Archon, the God of Justice! Every trial must unfold beneath my witness!"
"Mm. Then let's go."
After preparing everything, Lora brought Furina toward the Opera Epiclese.
Along the way, Furina suddenly noticed Clorinde was absent and asked curiously:
"Where's Clorinde? If there's a trial, shouldn't she be coming too? She is the Champion Duelist."
"This trial doesn't require a Champion Duelist," Lora replied calmly. "So there's no need for Clorinde to come. She's still at the Fortress of Meropide with Wriothesley handling some matters there."
"Is that so...?"
Hearing that answer only made Furina even more curious.
A trial that did not even require a Champion Duelist?
Soon, the two arrived at the Opera Epiclese.
Today, not a single person stood outside the opera house. Even the usual patrol officers and guards were nowhere to be seen, making Furina feel slightly uneasy.
"Why is nobody here?"
"Everyone's already inside," Lora replied. "Today's trial is extremely important."
Furina nodded thoughtfully and followed her inside.
The moment they entered the grand hall of the Opera Epiclese, Furina realized the place was already completely packed.
Every audience member turned to look at them.
Arlecchino and the others sat in the front row.
Lumine and Paimon were there as well, silently watching.
Seeing such an enormous crowd gathered there, Furina looked completely confused.
"Who exactly is being put on trial?"
Lora did not answer.
Instead, she led Furina all the way to the front before looking up toward Neuvillette above and calmly saying:
"Chief Justice, the defendant has arrived."
Neuvillette looked down at the two of them and slowly took a deep breath.
"The plaintiff may now step forward."
Lumine stood up from her seat and walked onto the stage.
At the same time, Lora guided the bewildered Furina onto the grand stage as well.
Neuvillette looked toward Lumine and formally declared:
"Plaintiff, please state your accusation."
Lumine nodded before looking directly toward Furina and Lora.
"I accuse the Hydro Archon of concealing the truth behind the prophecy. Even while the people of Fontaine stand on the brink of disaster, she continues to hide the truth from them. As the people trapped at the center of this crisis, the citizens of Fontaine have the right to know the truth."
Furina immediately began to panic slightly.
Lora quietly held her hand and whispered:
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
Neuvillette looked down at the courtroom and continued:
"Then plaintiff and defendant, please take your respective positions."
Lumine turned and walked toward the plaintiff's seat.
Lora turned back toward Furina, gently rubbed her hair once more, and softly said:
"Be good. Trust me."
"Huh?"
Furina stared blankly at Lora.
At that moment, Zhongyue walked over from the side, took Furina's hand, and began leading her away.
"Come on. Sit down first. Otherwise, you won't even be able to think clearly later."
Zhongyue led Furina away, but not toward the defendant's seat.
Instead, she brought her directly to the audience section.
Furina looked utterly lost.
She turned back toward Lora, wanting to ask what was happening, but before she could say anything, flowing water suddenly formed a staircase beneath Lora's feet.
Under everyone's gaze, Lora slowly stepped onto it.
As she ascended, new steps continuously formed above her.
Step by step, she walked upward from the stage...
all the way to the defendant's seat.
Then she slowly turned around.
Faced the entire courtroom.
And sat down.